Energy from peat – level 2

Scientists in Estonia found a new way to make sodium-ion batteries. They used peat, which was cheaper then some metals in batteries, like lithium or cobalt.

Currently, people use lithium-ion batteries most often, but the problem with these batteries is that they are more expensive and harmful to the environment. The scientists heat the peat to a high temperature for two to three hours. Then they get a carbon powder which they use for the batteries.

The technology is new, and nobody really knows yet how good it will be. Still, the world is looking for technologies that are better for the environment, and with electric cars, car makers will need more and more batteries. This technology could help solve the problem with batteries in the future.

Difficult words: sodium-ion battery (a type of battery which uses a metal called sodium, and people cannot charge it as many times as the lithium-ion battery), peat (a dark brown substance from dead plants, vegetables and so on), lithium-ion battery (the most usual battery in electronic things, which people can charge many times).